What we learned today, Wednesday 3 May
That’s where we’ll leave the blog for today – thanks so much for joining us. Here is a wrap of the day’s biggest stories:
The Northern Territory chief minister, Natasha Fyles, announced her government was giving a green light for gas production in the Beetaloo Basin, a move environment organisations and scientists have warned will have an unacceptable impact on the climate.
Two police officers have been stabbed and an alleged offender shot dead in an incident at Crystal Brook, a small community about 200km north of Adelaide. The police officers are in a serious but stable condition.
Tasmania will officially be added to the AFL and AFLW map, with a team representing the state expected in 2028.
Thousands of workers from Victorian universities walked off the job today as part of national industrial action, pushing back against wage theft, casual employment and underfunding.
State and territory housing ministers have written to senators urging them to approve the $10bn housing affordability future fund, a move heaping pressure on the Greens and crossbench to pass Labor’s bill.
Mehreen Faruqi will launch federal court action against Pauline Hanson under the Racial Discrimination Act, after the One Nation founder told the Greens senator to “piss off back to Pakistan” in an ugly social media clash following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The multibillion-dollar Snowy Hydro 2.0 development will be delayed by up to two years and face another cost blowout.
Despite being a “lifelong republican”, the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, says he will pledge his allegiance to King Charles III.
Have a lovely evening, everyone. We will be back with you tomorrow morning bright and early.
Updated
Puppies survive huge house fire in Sydney’s west
Dozens of puppies have survived after a house burst into flames in Sydney’s west this afternoon, Nine News reports.
The home on Cut Hill Road in Cobbitty was well alight just after 3pm, with Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue NSW rushing to the property.
More than a dozen puppies, goats and sheep were running to safety in the backyard as the fire was extinguished.
The house has been completely destroyed. Fire crews are investigating what sparked the blaze.
Updated
